Saturday, May 2, 2009

I have been on a crusade to make soups and stews lately. It seems to be the easiest thing for me to eat. I can eat a good cupful .. more than any other type of food. I think it's because everything is cooked so well and very easy to chew.Anyway I saw a cooking show where a gal used black beans to make some Mexican dish with olives and raisins .. that didn't interest me much but I thought I've never made anything with black beans. So, yesterday when I was out shopping I got a bag of dried beans and today I made my version of Black bean soup! OMG ... it turned out soooo good. I had to share a pic although it's not the best pic .. I snapped it quick with my cell

1lb of black beans (soaked them for 6 hours)

3 large country spare ribs

1 large Green and 1 large Red Bell peppers

1 Large Onion

1 Large potato

I peeled and diced the potato and put it in with the beans to boil so as it broke down it would act as a bit of a thickener. I used about 4 cups of water.

While that was boiling away I diced the Onion and Peppers.

As they sautéed I sliced the meat off the rib bones and then threw bones and meat into the pan and cooked it all until browned and starting to get sticky in the pan.

I deglazed the pan with balsamic vinegar ... probably about 2 tablespoons.

I then added about 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon each of black pepper, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder and paprika. 1 pinch of red pepper flakes. I added a few shakes of salt .. I don't ever add much salt .. just add what you like. I added 1 cup of water and let it simmer while the beans finished cooking. (remove bones at any time now and cut off whats still on them or give the dog a treat)

When the beans were done I poured in the pork/veg mixture and let that all brew on a low simmer for about an hour.

It made the most rich brown broth I have ever seen ... and it tastes wonderful. A little bit of mild zip to it from the spices without being painful

I'm already thinking of how wonderful it will taste tomorrow as a leftover for lunch! {=^;^=}